Lady Bears controversy

The actions of Brittney Griner with her wayward punch of a Texas Tech player on Wednesday are shocking but shouldn’t be unexpected.

It’s hard to fault Griner. She looks over to the sidelines and sees the temper-tantrums that her head coach throws on a nightly basis throughout basketball games. She’s only doing as her leader does.

There’s a reason why Coach Kim Mulkey gets the nickname “Sulkey Mulkey” from fans in the Big 12.

While all coaches argue and moan throughout games, the amount of theatrics Mulkey engages in is embarrassing. In my opinion, it was only a matter of time before the Lady Bears players reflected their leader’s attitude.

Griner should be punished. But Mulkey needs to look in the mirror and see the type of standards she sets for her student-athletes in public.

Jeremy Cowen

Norman, Okla.

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My wife and I have season tickets to the Baylor Lady Bears basketball games and have thoroughly enjoyed the season’s events. We, like many, enjoy how the team has grown and adjusted to freshman Brittney Griner.

What occurred at Wednesday’s Tech Tech game was horrible and must be dealt with in a stern manner, one conducive to the Baylor tradition. Brittney needs to be punished in the most meaningful manner for punching adversary Jordan Barncastle in the face and breaking her nose.

Ms. Griner should be suspended at least for the remainder of the year as retribution for her actions. This might enable her to understand the meaning of competition versus thuggery. 

It is our hope Mulkey understands the definition of “coach” and acts accordingly.

Bill and Bobbye Jackson

Mart

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I was dismayed to see the actions of Brittney Griner on the basketball court. I have the highest regard and respect for Coach Kim Mulkey.

Griner will face a tough defense every time she steps on the court, much as Shaq did in his career. She must learn to manage her anger. It doesn’t matter the sport, gender, race, ethnicity or age. There’s no place for violence in sports. The Tech player could have suffered more than a nasal fracture.

Hopefully Griner will have lots of time to sit and think about this action during this season and next — and how every action has a consequence.

C. Blain

Orland Park, Ill.

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While I agree with the Friday comments by Trib sportswriter Brice Cherry, there are two other groups of individuals who must be held responsible for this week’s incident.

First, the referees who were responsible for officiating this contest were extremely lax. Their failure to control the amount of aggressive contact throughout the game led to a loss of control. The resulting incident was inevitable.

Second, the entire Baylor coaching staff has done their team a great disservice by putting the won-loss record above the welfare of players. If Miss Griner had been brought along slowly and gotten accustomed gradually to the physical and mental demands of a full college program, she might have been better able to tolerate the treatment she has received.

Also, if the main focus of the style of play is to keep feeding the ball to a player who is surrounded under the basket and left to fend for herself, there needs to be changes. It seems that most opponents have learned that to defeat the Bears means shooting long distance. Why can’t the Bears do the same? If there are only two players of the defense left to guard four of the offense, there should be some type of outside open shots available.

I’m hoping that Brittney Griner can get this incident behind her with very little repercussion. She was sent up the proverbial creek without a paddle and did the best she could.

Jim Mastergeorge

Robinson

Get to know your lawmaker

I have seen several letters from writers who do not personally know Charles “Doc” Anderson but question his character and ability as our state representative.

I approached Doc about fixing a loophole in our law which causes electricity overcharges for churches, schools and little leagues. He and his staff took the time to meet with me personally on several occasions to fully understand the issue. Doc even called me several times while working late into the night to hammer out details on the bill.

He sought bipartisan support, eventually deferring and joining forces with similar legislation to get it passed in the House, even though it meant he probably wouldn’t get credit for his work.

If you truly want good government, I might suggest that more letter writers take the opportunity to meet and work with their elected officials before launching partisan attacks with incomplete information. 

TJ Ermoian Jr.

China Spring